Alabama

g8four Launches Technology Workshops for Youth

g8four (pronounced ‘gate four’), a research-based learning, design and technology firm, is launching a new series of technology workshops for youth beginning in March at 36-B Church Street in Crestline Village in Mountain Brook.

The hands-on workshops combine the arts and technology in fun, creative learning experiences. Techniq workshops are designed to give youth a competitive edge, teaching skills critical for success in the 21st century, such as computational thinking, creativity, analytical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and effective communication.

The first workshop, offered during spring break, March 14 through 18, is Algorhythms: Dance Meets Computer Programming, in which students will create dance choreography for themselves and a virtual dance partner they will create using Alice, an introductory 3D computer programming environment.

Michael Milazzo, instructor for Algorhythms, has a BA in Interactive Multimedia as well as a passion for swing dancing. “Dance and computer science share a lot in common. Like computer programming, dance utilizes algorithms, or step-by-step processes, to create something new. We explore them both in Algorhythms.”

Other workshops offered at Techniq in an after-school setting are Digital Storytelling and Scratch Programming Workshop.

“We don’t see these kinds of workshops being offered elsewhere in Birmingham, so we’re excited to offer something new. We call our Techniq workshops ‘techniques for a competitive edge’ because they give students skills for college and career,” says Julian Daily, co-founder.

With companies looking for graduates who can communicate effectively, think critically, and solve problems in collaboration with other team members, the project-based learning that Techniq offers presents an effective way to develop these skills.